Freewheel Instructions

Freewheel Disassembly

Tools required: freewheel removal tool, thin flat blade scredriver (or knife), Park Tool red pin spanner, light oil, rag, adjustable spanner or vice... and a little patience.

White Industries freewheels are unique due to the fact that they are designed to ulilise a sealed cartridge bearing rather than a loose ball bearing system. White Industries freehweels also utilise an additional moisture seal that is seated on the backside of the freewheel. The seals protect the freewheel from water and debris encountered while on the trail, however, at times the freewheel can become contaminated and it is wise to clean the internals and replace the bearing.

To disassemble the freewhell, first remove the lock ring. The lock ring is the coloured anodized tinf with 'White Industries' engraved into the surface. Please note that the lock ring is REVERSE threaded. There is a small arrow engraved in the lock ring that points in the direction that it must be turned for removal. The easiest way to remove the lock ring is to leave the freewheel on your wheel. Place the pin spanner in the two holes on the freewheel lock ring, use steady pressure to loosen the lock ring by turning it to the RIGHT (known to those with timepieces as CLOCKWISE) - fig1

Do not remove the lock ring completely, just loosen it 1/2 a turn. Now remove the freewheel from your wheel using your freewheel removal tool - fig2. You can thread the ENO axle bolt through the freewheel removal tool & into the axle to hold the tool against the notches in the freewheel. Do not tighten the bolt down, just enough to keep the tool from slipping off the freewheel as you apply torque. As soon as the freewheel loosens a bit, remove the axle bolt & finish unscrewing the freewheel.

Once you've removed the freewheel, you can finish unscrewing the lock ring by hand - fig3.

Now, cradle the freewheel in your fingertips & use your thumbs to puch the inner driver towards the back of the freewheel or away from you - fig5. The inner driver should dislodge from the outer gear. The back seal will pull away from the freewheel.

Once the freewheel is apart, check the sprinf tension by depressing each pawl - fig7. The pawls should bounce back into place. The driver mechanism should be free of grease & mud. Clean the internal teeth of the outer gear so the pawls have a clean engagement surface. A light oil or dry lube can be used on the pawls & ssprings before reassembly. DO NOT USE GREASE.

Check the bearing. The inner race of the bearing should roll smoothly when checked. If the bearing feels gritty or rough, then it should be replaced. To replace the bearing, remove the snap ring & press the bearing out with your thumbs - figs8&9. If you can't push it out with your thumbs, a large socket & mallet can be used to tap the bearing free of its bore.

Once the bearing is removed a new one can be installed. Find a socket the same diameter as the outer race of the bearing (approx 51mm in diameter). Place the socket up against the bearing & tap on the end of the socket with a mallet. If you do not have a suitably sized socket, the inner driver can be used to press the bearing into the bearing bore. Remove o-ring from inner driver, take care not to lose any of the pawls or springs - fig10. Ease the bearing into the bearing bore, making sure that the bearing is straight - fig11.

Place the outer gear on a hard surface (like a work bench) with the bearing facing down & the driver ring of the outer gear facing up. Use your fingers or the palm of your hand to press the outer gear down evenly which will drive the bearing most of the way into the bearing bore - fig12. Now use the inner driver to press the bearing the remaining few millimeters into the bearing bore. Carefully place the inner driver into the bearing - fig13, set the assembly on your work surface, with the inner driver on the bottom & press down on the outer gear until the bearing completely seats in the bearing bore - fig14.

Remove the inner driver & install the inner driver o-ring before you forget! - fig15 Install the snap ring that locks the bearing into place - fig16 & make sure that the snap ring is seated completely in its groove - fig17. DO NOT FORGET TO INSTALL THE SNAP RING!

The cleaned driver can be reinstalled by carefully pushing it back into place - fig18. You may need to rotate the inner driver slightly so the pawls drop into the driver ring. Make sure the pawls & springs are in place & engaging the driver ring, by rotating the feewheel by hand. Flip the freewheel over & press down on the outer casing to completely seat the inner driver, you will hear a loud click once it is fully seated - fig19.

Once the driver is nestled into the outer gear, install the lock ring - fig20. Remember to tighten the lock ring by turning it to the LEFT. Take care not to cross thread the lock ring. Once the lock ring is in place, tighten it with the pin spanner wrench - fig21. Lastly, install the seeal on the back of the freewheel. Use your finger tips & push the seal into place - fig22. Now that the freewheel is fully assembled check the engagement one last time & then install on the bike.